If you like white noise to help you relax, you can certainly buy an electronic player or a phone app, but nothing sounds quite as nice as an actual machine. Make Projects put together a DIY version made from common household objects.

Why bother? Make explains:

Most white noise machines on the market are either electronic machines that play recordings of white noise, which can sound a lot like radio static, or machines that generate natural white noise from the sound of rushing air. These natural white noise machines simply consist of a mechanical fan that pushes air through an acoustic resonator to create the desired sound. By experimenting with household objects, such as an electric fan and a coffee can, you can easily create your own natural white noise machine to customize the soundscape of your environment for much less than even the cheapest machines on the market!

You'll have to design your own sound by choosing materials and experimenting, but for the most part you just need a small motorized fan and a container. It's a fun project because you get to customize it just the way you like and you'll save a bunch of money if you've been considering buying a machine instead. Check out the video above or the full post over at Make Projects for more information.